How to Catch Bass Using Popping Lures
- 1). Assemble your fly fishing gear. To minimize casting difficulties, use a relatively heavy-duty rod measuring 8 to 9 feet in length and casting an eight or nine weight fly line. Your bass bugs should be of sturdy construction and generally will be tied on an 1/0 or 2/0 size hook.
- 2). Cast the popping bug toward a likely location. Ideally, you want to place the bug 10 to 15 feet beyond the spot you want to fish. If your cast does not reach its intended target, then you should still fish the cast out to avoid spooking any fish in the area.
- 3). Let the bug sit motionless on the water for a time. Most experienced anglers allow the bug to remain perfectly still until all the rings created by the bug's impact have completely subsided. Bass will frequently strike the bug while it rests on the water.
- 4). Retrieve the bug by stripping in the fly line with your free hand. As you retrieve the bug, you can impart additional action to the bug by wiggling the rod tip and by varying the rate at which you retrieve the line. Watch your bug in the water and try to retrieve it in a way that makes the bug "come alive" as it moves through the water.
- 5). Set the hook hard as soon as a bass strikes your bug. The bass will probably spit out your bug if you delay in setting the hook. A sharp motion is needed to properly set the larger hooks used in fishing bass bugs.
Source...